Toilet Water - Salmon Colored Ring

**statjunk** · 12-31-2007, 10:36 AM

Hey guys,

I have a toilet in my house that is seldom used. I noticed that when the water sits there a pink ring will form around the toilet. It never bothered me until I noticed that the shower head that I use almost daily had a little bit of pink-salmon colored stuff on the individual spray tips.

What does this mean about my water?

I'm on Detroit city water which is considered to be excellent water. All the pipes in my house are copper.

Thanks

Tom

**jadnashua** · 12-31-2007, 01:27 PM

Iron reducing bacteria? I get it too. Only normally notice it in the toilet, but occasionally in the tub. If your WH is set high enough, it will kill the stuff in there, but when you mix it with the cold...

**Redwood** · 12-31-2007, 01:49 PM

I learned about this recently on another forum. Serratia marcescens is your culprit!

Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathrooms (especially on tile grout), where it manifests as a pink discoloration. Once established, complete eradication of the organism is often difficult, but can be accomplished by application of a bleach-based disinfectant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 12-31-2007, 02:10 PM

It means get out of the house now!

http://www.townofcary.org/depts/pwde...coloration.pdf

**Redwood** · 12-31-2007, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by RUGGED

It means get out of the house now!

http://www.townofcary.org/depts/pwde...coloration.pdf

I don't see anywhere where it says get out of the house now! I do see it saying kill it with chlorine bleach.

I dunno Rugged, I think you need to change your handle! Your scared of a hepatitus shot and now you're scared of "Pink" Bacteria..... Sheesh!